The Big 12 is one of the best college football conferences in the country, so it's not often that a true freshman can come in and make an impact. It's not easy for high school players to make the adjustment from being the big man on campus to being one of a several dozen BMOC.
However, every year there are a few that manage to breakout and become impact players in their first season. Here are the four that could do just that this fall in the Big 12.
Sewo Olonilua, RB, TCU
Olonilua was a four-star athlete and the No. 125 overall player and the Horned Frogs will put him at RB for the time being. Head coach Gary Patterson said they'll keep the 6-foot-3, 225-pound recruit at RB for now, although that could change at some point, with OLB a possibility. He enrolled early and will have a chance to see carries right away given TCU's lack of depth at RB. TCU is losing it's leading RB, Aaron Green, and Olonilua has the type of size that none of the other Horned Frog RBs have.
Collin Johnson, WR, Texas
Johnson is not Texas' highest rated recruit, despite being a four-star prospect. In fact, he's barely in the Top 10 because of a great National Signing Day finish by the Longhorns. But Johnson enrolled early and won't be stuck behind the same logjam of players like many of Strong's defensive recruits. That's not to say those players, like S Brandon Jones and LB Jeffrey McCulloch can't contribute, but Johnson has the best shot to play and make a big impact early. He's a 6-foot-6 WR and joins a team that doesn't have that type of size at WR. At the very least, Johnson should see action as a red zone weapon. For more on Big 12 recruiting, download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app.
Devin Duvernay, WR, Baylor
Duverany didn't enroll early at Baylor, but that shouldn't stop him from making an early impact. The team loses two starting WRs, including burner Corey Coleman. Duvernay is a similar player to Coleman, in both size and speed, although obviously not as developed. The No. 3 WR in the class of 2016 should have an impact early as a speedster in Baylor's dynamic offense. Don't rule out CB Parrish Cobb playing early either.
Caleb Kelly, LB, Oklahoma
When you're the only five-star addition in the conference, you're a lock for this list. Kelly is the No. 25 player in the class of 2016 and should have an early impact for the Sooners. Kelly could take over right away for Eric Striker, and the two have similar sizes. Expect Kelly to find a way on to the field and to make plays for OU.